Page 58 of Park Avenue Princess

Dad turns to me. “I’ve been in touch with Dennis last night as well as again this morning and he’s been helping me right my many wrongs.” He takes a breath before continuing. “I have so much to apologize for, my dear Lynne, it will take another lifetime to absolve me of my sins.

“Dad,” I start. Never, ever had I expected to hear such words from my very proud and stoic father.

He holds up a hand to stop me from further comment. “I apologize for being a cold, distant, yet overbearing father. In my mind, I told myself every action was to push you to become a strong, independent woman—which you’ve done superlatively—and I couldn’t be more proud.”

My breath hitches at his confession and I feel Guy’s hand on my back, rubbing soothing circles. Mom, who has sat silent, allowing dad to say his part, looks up at him with such adoration. More emotions well inside me as I watch them together.

“My actions were also inept attempts to ensure you wouldn’t get swept up in this mess I’ve been involved in for too long. Hindsight being what it is, I could have gone about my methods as a father in a much more nurturing way.”

“As could I as a mother.” Sadness is evident in Mom’s tone. My parents exchange a simple, loving look for a brief moment.

When Dad turns back to Guy, he continues. “I apologize for my rash behavior. I, uh, have a habit of jumping to conclusions and seeing only what I want to see. After listening to the two of you tell your story and seeing the way you two are with one another, I do not doubt your devotion to my daughter.”

“Thank you, sir. Iamcompletely devoted to Lynne. I told her we’d work through this together, and we will.” He turns to my mom. “I’m awed at your bravery, Rachel. Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of this conversation.”

“My concern is how you’re handling what you now know about your own father,” Dad says. “And how about your mother?”

“If there was any way to spare my mother the heartache that’ll arise from this, I would. I’d spare you and Rachel as well.”

Dad shakes his head. “I went into this knowing full well my actions were unethical, but hoping that I’d be able to make up for them once my firm began to do well. I did not however, foresee this going the distance it has.” He sighs. “My only consolation was making those changes in order to replace the funds. I also shifted investments back to more dependable sources and broad-spectrum entities rather than having anything invested in Hamilton Resources. And lastly, I’ve turned over control of the pension fund to a much more reliable, ethical firm.”

“You’ve been extremely busy,” I say. “You’ve been planning for this, haven’t you? You left the information on the firm’s computers, knowing they’d be discovered by Dennis. He was right,” I murmur that last part.

“Yes,” Dad affirms. “As I said, it’s gone on too long, and after talking with your mother prior to yesterday, we agreed I needed to start my contingency plan.”

“A way out for your father,” Mom adds. “A way to try and repair the damage done, hoping there will be leniency toward him.”

“Persecution is inevitable. Would I like a lesser punishment? Of course. But I realize that probably won’t happen. In order to clear my own conscience, I’m doing as much as I can to make it right.”

“Hollis said he knew someone who could deal with Vince Carmichael,” Guy says. “Did he give you any indication that process had started?”

“He did not,” Dad answers. “But Hollis doesn’t mess around, so I’ve no doubt he’s on it. I also wouldn’t doubt it if your father already has wind of what’s happening. He always kept a keen eye on every aspect of these dealings, especially with the help of the many people he has in his back pocket.”

“My mother mentioned he’d been acting unusual lately, not himself.”

“He’s either making his own contingency plans, if they weren’t already made, or he’s fuming, ready to bury us all.” He turns to mom with sadness and regret. “Ready to lash out and hurt us in any way possible.”

Mom shakes her head and runs her hand back and forth across the top of Dad’s. “He can’t hurt me anymore than what I’ve already done to myself. It doesn’t matter who else knows about my past because the only people who matter to me in the world are sitting right here in this room.” She gives me a look filled with love and hope. “I buried my past, my emotions thinking I’d moved on. Part of me has, but a part of me never will. What I did, what I went through was dreadful and unspeakable. Or at least it was unspeakable until I entered therapy. And even then, it seemed like such a despicable secret I dare not let out.”

“Mom.” I want to sit next to her and scoop her up into the biggest hug. But she shakes her head again while dad comforts her with an arm around her back.

“Therapy and medication have gotten me through life, but I no longer want togetthrough. I want tolive. I want to make up for all the lost moments because life is too precious to simply let one day roll into the next without having something you can claim as joyful and worthwhile.”

“You’re a remarkable woman, Rachel.” Guy praises.

“Hardly, but I will try to aspire to that sentiment.”

“You are, Mom.” I go to her and Dad, kneeling on the floor in front of them, covering their joined hands with mine. “Both of you. And there’s still plenty of time for aspirations.”

Mom places a hand on my cheek and I lean into her caress while she and Dad smile down at me.

“We love you, Lynne, and I’m sorry if—”

I shake my head. “No more being sorry. In the words of a wise man, we go forward from here.”

They both nod. After another moment, I stand to kiss them on their cheeks before returning to Guy’s side, kissing his cheek as well.

“Dare I ask, what now?” Mom says.

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